Phylicia Dove opened the
Black Monarchy boutique last year on West
Utica, where her mission, she says, is
to “bring the world to Buffalo.” She listens to advice from the community on
how she can incorporate cultures that are not represented in the area. West
Side residents even give the boutique items to sell to make sure their culture
is shown. The boutique has partnered with many organizations. Dove partners
with Let There Be Light International, which gives a profit from the store to
Uganda where it will provide families with solar power for two years. By Kaylin Padilla and Roshea Robinson